Do you like to read? Have you ever stayed up waaaayyy to late reading? Then this is the spot for you. This is the spot for the eclectic book reader. I love all kinds of books, in any format. I can't wait to share my love of books with you.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Review of Always a Lady ~ Bandit Creek Book

Lady Serena Buxton follows her husband
from England to Bandit Creek, Montana. Randolph is a partner in the Ellis gold
mine, but when she arrives, she is horrified to find that Randolph is missing.

Sheriff Wilson seems to be keeping a
watchful eye on her. Why? Douglas King, the mine manager, treats her as if she
is already a widow. What does he know? The bank manager refuses her request for
access to Randolph’s account. With no husband and no money, what is a girl to
do?

Serena has an unsuspected and quite
shocking talent. She can belly dance. With the help of two enterprising local
ladies, Serena prepares for a public performance. But when the news leaks out,
she finds the only venue she can secure is in the Men’s Club owned by King.
Like it or not, she has no option but to ask him regardless of what terms he
may insist on. Billed as Ayesha, Oriental Dancer Extraordinaire, she prepares
for her show which she hopes will make enough money for her to stay in Bandit
Creek until Randolph is found.

The
whole town, as well as a train full of people from nearby Missoula, turns out
for her performance. The Club is packed. But who is in the crowd, watching?
Will King insist on exacting his fees? And will Serena be reunited with the
husband she loves?

Author
Information:

Victoria Chatham
is a writer of Regency romance and credits her late husband for giving her a
well needed push – make that kick-in-the-pants – to take her writing seriously.

It was his
opinion she should write a historical novel but, having disliked history at
school because she couldn’t remember dates, was an idea she firmly resisted.
Her first completed novel was a contemporary romantic suspense, but she never
quite felt comfortable with the book. But then a glimmer of an idea grew into a
Regency romance, a genre she always felt comfortable with. Her favorite books
are those of that doyen of the Regency era, Georgette Heyer, and more recently
Mary Balogh, Sabrina Jeffries, Stephanie Laurens and others.

Victoria was
born in Bristol, England and grew up in an area well known for its Regency
style architecture. She frequently visited both Cheltenham and Bath, the latter
famous for its water. She and her cousins, under the eagle eye of their
grandmother, learned what many a young Regency lady may have learned. Manners,
deportment, elocution and what knife and fork should be used for which course
at dinner and which wine is served in which glass – and why. A writer is
encouraged to ‘write what you know’ so many of these early lessons have proved
extremely useful in adding small details to her writing.

Already at work
on her second Regency novel, Victoria has also written a historical novella for
the Bandit Creek book series, and a short story for the April Fool’s Bandit
Creek Anthology, Fool’s Gold to be released on – when else – April 1st, 2012.

Apart from her
writing, Victoria is an avid reader. Her love of horses gets her away from her
computer to volunteer at Spruce Meadows equestrian centre and Dare2Dream, a
horse-rescue ranch. Her constant buddy is her dog, Jay, who allows her to take
him for a walk every day. As Jay is now 105 years old in people years, she
firmly believes she is the only Seeing Eye person in existence.

“Always a Lady” is a charming Novela set in the fictional town of Bandit
Creek, a brainchild of Carla Roma and her multiple collaborators. The town of
Bandit Creek is nestled deep in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. Here you’ll
meet fascinating residents, learn about the buried town at the bottom of nearby
Lost Lake and discover a world of intrigue and excitement. The stories range
the years from 1867 to the present, covering all genres and sexual ratings.

“Always a Lady” is a historical fiction about belly dancing in the old
west. Yes, belly dancing. A different idea for me. I loved the women of Bandit Creek, the feisty
bordello owner, Lorelei Sutton, and Maggie O’Connor, the bakery owner. These two women and Lady Serena turned a difficult
circumstance into something remarkable.
This was a great introduction to Bandit Creek, but way too short for a
story unto its self. I really wanted
more from this story. I want to know
more. I really wanted more background
information on Lord and Lady Serena, more about the town, more about why they
were there.

However, all that said,
for a novella and the length that it was, it enjoyed the light and frothy
read. I give it 4 out of 5 clouds for
the category of novela.

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Do you like to read? Have you ever stayed up waaaayyy to late reading? Then this is the spot for you. Join me as I review books, link to other fabulous book sites, and please respond with your comments as well. This is the spot for the eclectic book reader. I love all kinds of books, in any format (book, e-book, chapters in a magazine... heck I even read the back of the cereal box every time). I can't wait to share my love of books with you and see what has captured your attention as well.